While there's nothing like going out on an excursion to see some nature, whether you're hiking on a trail or paddling a boat, sometimes nature comes to you--especially if Seattle is your home. Yesterday I was sitting in my living room talking with some friends, when to my amazement some bright yellow wings flapped by my window and alighted on a tree limb...

Let the 2nd round begin: after 33,000 reader votes and a hard-fought (and tight) first round of judging, our panel of fashion experts (including boutique owners, fashion school instructors and designers) have narrowed down the 2010 Seamless in Seattle contestants from 38 to 12:

Must Strike a PoseThaw Spring Fashion ShowThursday (5/6) - Refresh your style at Seattle’s annual Thaw Spring Fashion Show, an evening of funky fun in SoDo benefiting the Northwest chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Founded four years ago by Liz Weber (whose family has a history of battling the disease), Thaw highlights local designers such as Michael Cepress and Jill Lindsey, and past winners of Seattle mag’s Seamless in Seattle competition. 6 p.m. $75–$250. 66 S Hanford St.; thawfashionshow.com

I was trying to write this month’s shopping column this morning, but I admit, I am way too hyped about tonight’s Thaw Fashion Show to focus (plus I’ve had three shots of espresso). For fashionistas headed to SoDo tonight, I’ve noted six things you just can’t miss—and for the fashion savvy who won’t make it, we will be cluing you via @Seattlemag and @kcalamusa on Twitter:

The 3rd annual Thaw Fashion Show will transform an industrial SoDo warehouse tomorrow night for the city’s unofficial spring fashion kick-off.
As much as we are excited about the fashion, the more important factor is Thaw exists to raise money for the Huntington's Disease Society of America, helping families battle Huntington's Disease, which organizer Liz Weber has experienced personally within her own family.

Today (Wednesday, May 5th), from 11am-8pm, Taste will be offering $3 desserts from pastry chef Lucy Damkoehler to all diners. Or head on over after work: There's an extended happy hour going on at the bar from 3-7pm, with all Happy Hour menu items and draft beers going for $3 each.

Looking to do something different with Mom this Mothers Day? Seattle Parks naturalists are leading a Mothers Day Walk through Carkeek Park. Check out spring wildflowers and learn about one of Seattle's largest urban watersheds.

Seattle mag fashion correspondent Joan Kelly lends her expertise to Seattlemag.com with her "In the Closet" series, a monthly video installment on Seattle shops, looks, trends and more. This month, Kelly stopped by Sassoon Salon (1405 5th Ave.) in Downtown to tell us about the season's hottest new cuts. Watch and learn.

Photo by Lorna Yee
Delancey in Ballard continues its occasional special multi-course dinners with this month's Chuckanut Brewer's Dinner. These events are often limited to those lucky folks on their mailing list, but we've got the details:
From the good people at Delancey:
CHUCKANUT BREWER’S DINNER AT DELANCEY